I think everyone should be required to work in a restaurant before they are allowed to eat out at one. Cuz seriously, I am baffled at how some people think they can act at a restaurant and have it be okay. Likewise, I am baffled at how some people tip. So, I've decided to put together some guidelines on restaurant etiquette. If you are guilty of any of these crimes, it's okay, just don't do it anymore:)
1. Remember, servers are living, breathing, human beings with feelings. Not droids or robots. Treat them accordingly.
2. If you are in need of multiple items at your table (i.e. ketchup, utensils, napkins, anything) let your server know all of them at one time. Do not have them fetch you one item and then ask for another and once that item has been fetched ask for another. Remember, you are not the only patrons in the restaurant. Your server might need to actually pay attention to other tables at some point during your meal.
3. Only tell the server you are ready to order when you are actually ready to order. Do not say that you are ready and then commence to discuss with the rest of your table what you should get for 2 minutes whilst your server stands there waiting. Again, you are not the only table in the restaurant and your server has many other responsibilities to fulfill. Do not waste their time.
4. Don't order a beverage and a water if you are not really going to drink the water. You will not magically be healthier just because there is a water sitting in front of you. Cuz seriously, 95% of the people who do this never touch their water.
5. When you are ready to pay, place the check at the edge of the table with your form of payment sticking out slightly. Do not lie the check down on the edge of the table until there is some form of payment inside or place payment in the book and then keep the book on the inside of the table.
6. READ THE MENU. And all the fine print. Some restaurants only supply bread on request (i.e. Sammy's) and if you would read the menu, you might know that, instead of wondering why the table next you got bread and you didn't.
7. Don't dock the servers tip just because they charged you for ranch dressing. Quite often, they are following store policy to avoid getting fired. It's not their fault if the kitchen staff won't give them ranch without ringing it in first.
8. It's totally fine to bring your kids and leave a mess. Just make sure that you tip extra if you're going to leave a huge mess for the server to pick up. If you don't want to leave a bigger tip, just take some time to clean up a bit after your kids. Throwing away a little trash (i.e. crayons & scattered cheerios) goes a long way
9. When using a coupon, tip on the amount of the check BEFORE the coupon.
11. If you can't afford to leave a good tip when you go out to eat, then you shouldn't go out to eat. But if you are tight on cash and decide you want to go out, cut your costs in other areas of the meal, not the tip. Don't get soda, just get water. Order less expensive food. Share a meal instead of each person getting a separate dish (and let's be honest, most restaurants serve huge portions anyway). Then, tip well. It drives me crazy when a couple comes in and orders appetizers and separate dishes and dessert and drinks and then tips me 10% when I have given good service.
12. If you go out to eat and stay a significant amount of time past the time that you are done eating, you need to tip more. A server survives off their tips and if you take up their table for 2 hours, they can't make the money that they need. Tip an extra $2 for every extra half hour that you stay at their table.
